How To: Coconut
A glimpse into Timorese Coconut Culture
Do you live in one of those areas where coconut is an exotic fruit that you can only get as a brown ball in some supermarkets? Or are you simply interested in Timor Leste and want to know more about the coconuts place in this countries culture? Then stay tuned, because this Blog Post will teach you the numerous ways of Timorese coconuts.
Unlike avocados and dragonfruit the coconut does not go out of season here. You can get it all over the year. Especially at beaches or at busy places you can often find at least one coconut seller. Many of them have some kind of motorbike with a big box at the front where they store their coconuts. If not, you will see a big pile of them stored somehow otherwise. You can eat you coconuts on the spot or take them home with you for later, that is open to you. Street sellers usually charge $1 per nut, anything above $ 1.50 can be considered expensive.
Coconuts can also be found in pretty much every timorese restaurant. However, they charge you a more expensive price for the same coconut more often than not.
So now you have arrived at a place that sells the object of your desire. What now? If you have decided to drink directly at a street seller, they will cut it open for you and provide you with a straw. Once you’re finished drinking you can ask “Belle han?” [can eat]. They will cut the coconut in half and even carve a spoon so you can enjoy the flesh.. For eating it is best if the flesh is not too glubbery and not too hard, but just right so you can carve it out easily and bite properly. The remaining shells you can just leave with the seller. If you decide to eat at home, but have nothing to carry it except your hands, you can ask “Lori?” [carry] and they will carve you a carrying handly into the coconut. At home, you might face the problem of not knowing how to open it. I can recommend drilling, but also carving a hole with a knife or an axe if you have one.
Restaurants may serve them in a different way. In some you can eat them just like at the street sellers, others will cut a hole into the coconut large enough so you can drink it but also immediately eat with the (metal) spoon provided. Another possibility is that they put the coconut water and maybe also some of its flesh into a glass so you don’t have to do anything with the coconut itself.
Are you hungry for some coconut now? Well, another reason for you to visit Timor Leste. It is amazing what you can do with just one of those nuts. Keep that in mind the next time you buy one!
